Shaping the Future of Oak Park Parks:
Cheney Mansion Site Master Plan Development

As part of the Park District of Oak Park's Capital Improvement Plan, a site master plan is being developed for the exterior of Cheney Mansion. The overall objective of a site plan is to provide “a framework or blueprint for future park renewal.” The following is an outline of the planning process.

Cheney Mansion, a historic property of the Park District of Oak Park, was designed in 1913 by Charles E. White, Jr., a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. This 12,000 square foot mansion boasts many handsome reception rooms, six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and separate servants' quarters. The two acres of beautifully landscaped grounds also include a coach house and greenhouse. Located in the Historic District of Oak Park, the Mansion is available for weddings/receptions, private parties, corporate meetings and events, and also hosts a number Park District programs and special events.Click here for more information on Cheney Mansion.

Focus groups were held in early October to collect information regarding the current and future use of the grounds of Cheney Mansion. Four focus groups were held including a meeting with representatives from other Oak Park governmental agencies, a meeting with Park District Staff, a meeting with Cheney Mansion staff and a meeting with representatives from various community organizations and local businesses. (Focus Group notes)

First Community Meeting
The first community meeting to gather initial public input regarding the current and future use of the exterior of Cheney Mansion was held on Tuesday. October 20, 2009, at 7pm at Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid. (meeting notes) The following information was presented at this meeting.

A questionnaire was available through November 4 to provide an opportunity for residents who could not attend the first community meeting to provide input as well as for those who attended the meeting to provide additional information. (questionnaire results)

Second Community Meeting
A second community meeting to review preliminary site options and collect additional public input was held on Tuesday, November 24 at 7pm at Cheney Mansion. (meeting notes)

Residents were invited to review the following information presented at the 2nd community meeting and complete a brief questionnaire to provide input regarding the future site plan recommendation. The questionnaire was available online from November 25 through December 6. (questionnaire results)

Third Community Meeting
A third community meeting took place on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 7pm at Cheney Mansion to develop a site plan for the Cheney Mansion grounds. Below is the Powerpoint presentation and the final draft recommendation presented and discussed at this meeting. (meeting notes)

Next Steps
The Park Board of Commissioners reviewed the Cheney Mansion Site Plan final draft recommendation at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at the Oak Park Conservatory. (Powerpoint presentation) At the Regular Park Board Meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2010, the Park Board accepted the Cheney Mansion site plan.

The Park District of Oak Park values public input and feedback. To provide input or for further information, please contact Diane Stanke at (708) 725-2022 or dianes@oakparkparks.com.

Cheney Mansion Site Master Plan Schedule

Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 7 pm, Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid Avenue
Community Meeting to collect initial community input.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 7pm, Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid Avenue
Community Meeting to to review preliminary site concepts and collect additional public input.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 7 pm, Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid Avenue
Community Meeting to present a final draft recommendation and collect public input.

Thursday, January 14, 2010, 7:30pm, Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield
Park Board Committee of the Whole Meeting to discuss site plan recommendation.

Thursday, January 21, 2010, 7:30pm, Administrative Center, 218 Madison
Park Board Meeting to consider acceptance of plan.